Means for the suspension of electric contact wires



M. SEMENZA. MEANS FOR THE SUSPENSION 0F ELECTRIC CONTACT WIRES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2I, I921.

Patented July 25, 1922.

FE. i

M/IHCO SEME/I/ZA are.

MARCO SEMENZA, OF MILAN, ITALY.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Patented J l 25 192% Application filed July 21, 1921. Serial No. 486,562.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARCO SEMENZA, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at Milan, Italy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for the Suspension of Electric Contact Wires, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to means for supporting trolley wires or other contact wires in electric traction systems and more particularly to an improved clamp for engaging the wire and which itself is engaged by a supporting element.

Heretofore there has been provided clamps for this purpose in which a pair of plates are used to engage the wire and are in the form of tongs held in clamped position by screw-threaded bolts or .nuts and bolts.

However, such constructions are not entirely As shown in the accompanying drawings,

satisfactory since the bolts and nuts are liable to become loose owing to the continual vibration of the contact wire. Another diffioulty with this form of construction is that considerable time is consumed in attaching the clamps to the wire and removing the same, the screws becoming rusted and being diflicult, often impossible, to remove.

According to the present invention the clamp is constituted by a pair of elastic plates adapted to fulcrum upon each other and to be held together under tension due to the elasticity of the plates by a locking pin having its heads a fixed distance from each other. The locking pin is passed through apertures in the plates constituting the clamp and the bolt is rotated so that the heads engage the plates. The locking pin is held in adjusted operative position by the tendency of the elastic plates to move apart at their upper ends. Thus the clamp is held locked by its own elasticity against vibrations.

One of the important features of this in: vention is that the clamp thereof is easily applied and removed from the wire, thus effecting a saving of time in both the installation and maintenance of the system.

In addition to this advantage it should be noted that the clamp of the present invention is extremely light and durable and is easily manufactured, being capable of being made by stamping and forging operations.

The device is greatly simplified by the employment of the locking pin as the means for attaching the clamp to a supporting element.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of the present invention adapted for use for catenary suspension.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the clamp.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig.1 looking at the device from the other side.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a modified form of the clamp shown in Fig. 1 and adapted for use with an internally grooved wire of the Mordey type, a portion of the Wire being shown in section.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the clamp shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the locking pin. Fig. 7 1s a side view of the locking pin.

the clamp ofthe present invention comprises two elastic plates A. and B which are held together as hereinafter described by a looking pin C.

. In the form shownin Figs. 1, 2and 3 the lower extremities of the plates are provided two plates they. may fulcrum upon each other. The plates therefore constitute apair of tongs and when the upper extremities of the tongs are brought toward each other the lower extremities or teeth m are caused to firmly engage the wire.

At the upper ends of the plates A and B there are provided alined rectangular openings a to permit the winged head X on the locking pin C to pass through the plates. When this is done the plates are further pressed toward each other and the locking pin is rotated to bring the winged head X transversely disposed relatively to the apertures a. When this is done the elastic plates A and B are firmly held together under tension between the circular head W at one side and the winged head X at the other side. The pressure of the plates against the opposite heads of the locking pin will hold the locking pin against accidental displacement.

To further insure against the accidental I displacement of the winged head X in operative position a slight depression 6 is formed in the plate in which the head lies.

the plate Apasses so that the plates cross each other and at the point of contact of the The locking pin C also serves the function of receiving and supporting the means for suspending the clamp, or the-slack messenger wire it the catenary construction is used.

Obviously variations and modifications in the particular form of the clamp may be made. i For instance. in case the wire has an in ternal groove, the form of clamp shown in Figs. 4c and 5 may be used. In this form the plates A and B have their teeth'm' m engaged within the internal groove of the wire and the plates do not cross as in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The plates A and B contact so as to fulcrum upon each other so that when the upp'erfends of the plates are moved toward eachother the lower ends will be expanded and will thus holdthe wire. i f V In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the locking pin is the same as in the form shown in Figs. 1,2 and8. i i

Variations and modifications may be resorted to within the scope oif'thisinvention, and portions ofvth'e improi 'ements may be used without others. i

I claim as my invention 1. A contact-wire holding device comprising a pair of elastic plates fulcruming on each other and formingtongs, the lower ends of the plates being adapted thenga-ge the contact wire when the upper ends offthe plates are pressed together to a predetermined point said elastic plates being placed under tension by further movement" ofthe upper ends of the plates toward other; and a locking pin having heads at a fiixe'd distance and engagealole" with said plates while the latter are under tension; for holding said 'plates together under tension, said locking pin serving as a means for receiving asupporting device for the tongs. i

2. A contact-wire clamp comprising a pair of elastic plates placed side-by-side and contacting intermediate their ends with each other and fulcruming on each other at the points of contact toforin tongs, said plates having at their lower extremities portions for engaging a wire, said clamp also comprising a locking pin adapted to pass through apertures at the upper ends of said plates and having heads at each end at a fixed distance from each other; said heads engaging the sides of said plates whensaid locking pin is rotated {in said aperturesto hold the plates together, thel'ocking being; held in "operative positionby contact with the plateshwhich are" under tension when engaging" the"'vvire and held "the locking'pin, one of said apertures being recaagular'and provided with a groove for preventing rotationof said pin. 3. contact wire holding device comprising a "pair of elastic plates tulcrumin'g on each other and forming-tongs, *the""lower ends of the platesbeing adapted to eiigage the contact wire pper ends of the plates are pressed together to a predetermined oi nt said elastic plates being placed finder tension by further movement as the upper ends of plates" toward eaiih other, said plates. beingprovided with apertures"; and a lockingpin having heads at 'a"fi1ied d istance and engageablewith plates, whilethe latter areiinder tension, fonhhldings'aid la es} together under tension," said locking pin havir'ig atdeast one of its heads in the form ofa lateral wing, and the apertures being "correspondingly 'forlned.the wing when positioned "transversely relative to the apertures holding'sai'dplates together. n est meg "wh eo shar ware- MA C EM NZ 

